Silicone composition suitable for cross-linking by dehydrocondensation in the presence of a metal catalyst

ABSTRACT

A silicone composition is described that includes components having SiH/SiOH group and that can be polymerized/cross-linked by a dehydrocondensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst such as an iron-based complex or salt, requiring a low activation temperature.

The present invention relates to the field of the catalysis of dehydrogenative condensation reactions which make possible silicone polymerization/crosslinking. The reactive entities involved are monomers, oligomers and/or polymers of polyorganosiloxane nature.

The reactive units concerned in these entities are, on the one hand, ≡SiH units and, on the other hand, ≡SiOH units. Dehydrogenative condensation between these silicone reactive units results in the formation of ≡Si—O—Si≡ bonds and in the release of hydrogen gas.

This dehydrogenative condensation is an alternative to the polymerization/crosslinking routes known in the field of silicones, namely the route of polyaddition by reaction between ≡SiH and ≡Si-alkenyl (vinyl) units, and the route of polycondensation by reaction between ≡SiOR and ≡SiOR units (with R=alkyl). All these polymerization/crosslinking routes result in more or less polymerized and more or less crosslinked silicone products which can constitute products that can be used in multiple applications: adhesives, leaktightness products, pointing products, adhesion finishes, release coatings, foams, etc.

It is known, according to French patent FR-B-1 209 131, that a reaction between a silanol Ph₂Si(OH)₂ and a said organosiloxane [(Me₂HSi)₂O] with Me=methyl and Ph=phenyl, by dehydrogenative condensation, can be catalyzed by a chloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₆.6H₂O).

It is also known practice to use a rhodium complex (RhCl₃ [(C₈H₁₇)₂S]₃), for example as mentioned in American patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,107, a platinum complex such as the Karstedt catalyst, or platinum-based, rhodium-based, palladium-based or iridium-based metal catalysts. As iridium-based catalyst, mention may be made of the following compounds: IrCl(CO)(TPP)₂, Ir (CO)₂ (acac), Ir H(Cl)₂(TPP)₃, [IrCl(cyclooctene)₂]₂, Ir I(CO)(TPP)₂ and Ir H(CO)(TPP)₃, in which formulae TPP signifies a triphenylphosphine group and acac signifies an acetyl acetonate group.

Other examples are catalysts such as amines, colloidal nickel or dibutyltin dilaurate (see the handbook by Noll, “Chemistry and technology of silicones”, page 205, Academic Press, 1968-2^(nd) edition). However, alkyltin-based catalysts, although they are very effective, most commonly colorless, liquid and soluble in silicone oils, have the drawback of being toxic (CMR2 toxic to reproduction).

Other catalysts, such as boron derivatives of tris(pentafluorophenyl)-borane type, are described in French patent application 25 FR-A-2 806 930.

American patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,107 describes a silicone composition comprising a polydimethyldisiloxane possessing silanol ends, a crosslinking agent consisting of a polyorganosiloxane possessing ≡SiH units in the chain and possessing trimethylsilyl ends, and a catalyst consisting of a rhodium complex (RhCl₃[(C₈H₁₇)₂]₃). This silicone composition which can be crosslinked by dehydrogenative condensation in the presence of a rhodium complex can be used for producing release coatings on flexible supports such as paper and plastic or metal films. The crosslinking is carried out at a temperature of 150° C.

European patent application EP-A-1 167 424 describes the production of linear block silicone copolymers by dehydrogenative condensation of a polydimethylsiloxane possessing silanol ends and of a polyorganosiloxane comprising aromatic groups and possessing ≡SiH ends, in the presence of a metal catalyst which may be platinum-based, rhodium-based, palladium-based or iridium-based, platinum being particularly preferred.

French patent application FR-A-2 806 930 describes the use of boron derivatives of tri(pentafluorophenyl)borane type as a thermoactivatable catalyst for dehydrogenative condensation between a polyorganosiloxane possessing ≡SiH units and a polyorganosiloxane possessing ≡SiOH end units. Such silicone compositions which can be crosslinked by dehydrogenative condensation in the presence of Lewis acids of boron derivative type can be used for the production of release coatings on flexible supports, in particular on paper, and also in the production of crosslinked silicone foams in which the release of hydrogen and the quality of the crosslinking network are controlled.

It emerges from this review of the prior art relating to the catalysis of dehydrogenative condensation between a polyorganosiloxane possessing a ≡SiOH siloxyl unit and a polyorganosiloxane possessing a ≡SiH siloxyl unit, that there is a significant need to:

1) find new tin-free catalysts,

2) reduce the activation temperature of the catalyst, and

3) limit the side reactions.

Thus, one of the essential objectives of the present invention is to propose a silicone composition comprising components bearing ≡SiH/≡SiOH groups and which can be polymerized/crosslinked by a dehydrogenative condensation reaction, in the presence of a nontoxic catalyst which does not contain tin and which only requires a low activation temperature.

Another essential objective of the present invention is to provide a process for polymerizing and/or crosslinking a composition of the type of that mentioned in the description of the objectives above; this process must be rapid, economical and effective in terms of quality of final product obtained.

Another essential objective of the invention is to provide a process for the production of at least one release coating on a support (preferably a flexible support), which consists in using the process for crosslinking/polymerization or of the composition mentioned above.

Another essential objective of the invention is to provide a process for the production of at least one article made of crosslinked silicone foam, which consists in using the abovementioned crosslinking/polymerization process and/or the composition mentioned above in the objectives, this process making it possible to control the volume of hydrogen gas given off and the quality of the elastomer formed.

These objectives, among others, are achieved by means of the present invention which relates, first of all, to a siloxane composition X which can be polymerized and/or crosslinked by dehydrogenative condensation, comprising:

at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer B having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiH unit;

at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer C having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiOH unit;

a catalytically effective amount of at least one dehydrogenative condensation catalyst A which is a metal complex or salt of formula (I):

[Fe(L_)|_(I1)(L²)_(I2)]  (I)

in which:

-   -   I₁≧1, I₂≧0 and I₁+I₂=3;     -   the symbol L¹ represents a β-dicarbonyl ligand chosen from the         group consisting of a 13-dicarbonylato anion or the enolate         anion of a β-dicarbonyl compound, and an acetylacetato anion         derived from a β-ketoester, with the additional condition that,         when I₁≧2, the symbols L¹ are identical or different; with the         additional condition that, when I₁=3, then the symbol L¹ is not         acetylacetonate (acac), and     -   the symbol L² represents an anionic ligand which is different         than L¹ and, when I₂=2, the symbols L² are identical or         different;         -   optionally at least one polyorganosiloxane resin D; and         -   optionally at least one filler E.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the β-dicarbonylato ligand L¹ is a β-diketonato anion derived from a β-diketone or a β-ketoesterato anion derived from a β-ketoester of formula (II) below:

R¹COCHR²COR³   (II)

in which:

R¹ represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃₀ hydrocarbon-based radical or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic,

R² is a hydrogen or a hydrocarbon-based, in general alkyl, radical advantageously containing at most 4 carbon atoms;

R³ represents a linear, cyclic or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃₀ hydrocarbon-based radical, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or an —OR⁴ radical with R⁴ representing a linear, cyclic or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₃₀ hydrocarbon-based radical, wherein

R¹ and R² can be linked to form a ring, and

R² and R⁴ can be linked to form a ring.

Among the β-diketones of formula (II) which are particularly advantageous for the composition according to the invention, mention will be made of those chosen from the group consisting of β-diketones: 2,4-pentanedione (acac); 2,4-hexanedione; 2,4-heptanedione; 3,5-heptanedione; 3-ethyl-2,4-pentanedione; 5-methyl-2,4-hexanedione; 2,4-octanedione; 3,5-octanedione; 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione; 6-methyl-2,4-heptanedione; 2,2-dimethyl-3,5-nonanedione; 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2-acetylcyclohexanone (Cy-acac); 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione (t-Bu-acac); 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione (F-acac); benzoylacetone; dibenzoylmethane; 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione; 3-acetylpentan-2-one; 3-acetyl-2-hexanone; 3-acetyl-2-heptanone; 3-acetyl-5-methyl-2-hexanone; stearoylbenzoylmethane; octanoylbenzoyl-methane; 4-(t-butyl)-4′-methoxydibenzoyl methane; 4,4′-dimethoxy-dibenzoylmethane and 4,4′-di(tert-butyl)dibenzoylmethane.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the β-dicarbonylato ligand L¹ is a β-ketoesterato anion chosen from the group consisting of the anions derived from the following compounds: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, 1-methylheptyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl and n-dodecyl esters of acetylacetic acid or those described in patent application FR-A-1 435 882.

In order to describe in a little more detail the nature of the constituent elements of the metal complex A according to the invention, it is important to specify that L² is an anionic ligand which can be selected from the group consisting of the anions: fluoro (F⁻), chloro (Cl⁻), triiodo(1⁻) (I₃)⁻, difluorochlorato(1⁻) [ClF₂]⁻, hexafluoroiodato(1⁻) [IF₆]⁻, oxochlorato(1⁻) (ClO)⁻, dioxochlorato(1⁻) (ClO₂)⁻, trioxochlorato(1⁻) (ClO₃)⁻, tetraoxochlorato(1⁻) (ClO₄)⁻, hydroxo (OH)⁻, mercapto (SH)⁻, selanido (SeH)⁻, hyperoxo (O₂)⁻, ozonido (O₃)⁻, hydroxo (OH⁻), hydrodisulfido (HS₂)⁻, methoxo (CH₃O)⁻, ethoxo (C₂H₅O)⁻, propoxido (C₃H₇O)⁻, methylthio (CH₃S)⁻, ethanethiolato (C₂H₅S)⁻, 2-chloroethanolato (C₂H₄ClO)⁻, phenoxido (C₆H₅O)⁻, phenylthio (C₆H₅S)⁻, 4-nitrophenolato [C₆H₄(NO₂)O]⁻, formato (HCO₂)⁻, acetato (CH₃CO₂)⁻, propionato (CH₃CH₂CO₂)⁻, azido (N₃)⁻, cyano (CN)⁻, cyanato (NCO)⁻, thiocyanato (NCS)⁻, selenocyanato (NCSe)⁻, amido (NH₂)⁻, phosphino (PH₂)⁻, chloroazanido (ClHN)⁻, dichloroazanido (Cl₂N)⁻, [methanaminato(1⁻)] (CH₃NH)⁻, diazenido (HN═N)⁻, diazanido (H₂N—NH)⁻, diphosphenido (HP═P)⁻, phosphonito (H₂PO)⁻, phosphinato (H₂PO₂)⁻, carboxylato, enolato and the amides, alkylato and arylato.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, L² is an anionic ligand selected from the group consisting of the anions: acetate, oxalate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, diethylacetate, benzoate, 2-ethyl-hexanoate, stearate, methoxide, ethoxide, isopropoxide, tert-butoxide, tea-pentoxide, 8-hydroxyquinolinate, naphthenate, tropolonate and the oxo O²⁻ anion.

According to one preferred embodiment, the dehydrogenative condensation catalyst A is chosen from the group consisting of the following molecules (1) to (7):

(1): [Fe (t-Bu-acac)₃] with (t-Bu-acac)=the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato anion or the enolate anion of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-hetpanedione,

(2): [Fe (EAA)₃] with EAA=the ethyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate,

(3): [Fe (iPr-AA)₃] with iPr-AA=the isopropyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isopropyl acetoacetate,

(4): [Fe (iBu-AA)₃] with iBu-AA=the isobutyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isobutyl acetoacetate,

(5): [Fe (tBu-AA)₃] with tBu-AA=the tert-butyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of tert-butyl acetoacetate,

(6): [Fe (EAA)₂ (2-ethylhexanoato)] with EAA=the ethyl aceto-acetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate, and

(7): [Fe (EAA) (2-ethylhexanoato)₂] with EAA=the ethyl aceto-acetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate.

The catalyst (6) has the advantage of being liquid at ambient temperature (25° C.).

According to one advantageous embodiment, the polycondensation catalyst A is a compound chosen from the group consisting of the following molecules (4) and (5):

(4): [Fe (iBu-AA)₃] with iBu-AA=the isobutyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isobutyl acetoacetate,

(5): [Fe (tBu-AA)₃] with tBu-AA=the tert-butyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of tert-butyl acetoacetate,

The use of such compounds, even in a small amount, makes it possible to catalyze this dehydrogenative condensation reaction between siloxane entities comprising δSiH and δSiOH units, under mild temperature conditions. Silicone polymers or networks are thus obtained in a few minutes, at ambient temperature.

The in accordance with the invention are effective and economical, in particular with regard to platinum catalysts.

They are also advantageous because, at low concentration, they require only limited amounts of energy in order to activate the dehydrogenative condensation. In particular, they can in fact be activated as soon as the temperature is at ambient temperature.

They are in particular advantageous for preparing elastomeric silicone networks under mild and economical conditions. The applications targeted in this case relate in particular to the adhesion resistance of paper, where it is desired to replace the current systems with less expensive systems, and silicone foams, where it is desired to control the evolution of hydrogen and the quality of the network. For the first application, it is preferable to control the diffusion of the hydrogen in order to prevent the formation of bubbles. For the second application, it is necessary to manage the size of the bubbles in order to optimize the properties of the final foam.

These results are all the more significant as the reactivity of siloxane entities, in particular in forming nonlinear (crosslinked) products, is not very high if it is compared with that of hydrosilanes and alcohols in dehydrogenative condensation.

Quantitatively, the catalyst A according to the invention is advantageously present in an amount ranging between 0.01 and 3% by weight, preferably between 1×10⁻⁶ and 5 parts by weight of the dry matter of organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer to be reacted.

Preferentially, the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers B possessing reactive ≡SiH units have at least one unit of formula (II) and end with units of formula (III) or are cyclic entities consisting of units of formula (II), these formulae being represented below:

in which:

the symbols R¹ are identical or different and represent:

-   -   a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon         atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one         halogen, preferably fluorine, the alkyl radicals preferably         being methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl,     -   an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between         5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms,     -   an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and         12 carbon atoms, or     -   an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14         carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon         atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part with         halogens, alkyls and/or alkoxyls containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms,

the symbols Z are alike or different and represent:

-   -   a hydrogen radical, or     -   a group R¹ with the condition that there are, per molecule, at         least two symbols Z representing a hydrogen atom.

According to one preferential embodiment, the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers C possessing reactive ≡SiOH units have at least one unit of formula (IV) and end with units of formula (V) or are cyclic entities consisting of units of formula (IV), said formulae being represented below:

in which:

-   -   the symbols R² are identical or different and represent:         -   a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon             atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one             halogen, preferably fluorine, the alkyl radicals preferably             being methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and             3,3,3-trifluoropropyl,         -   an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing             between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms,         -   an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6             and 12 carbon atoms, or         -   an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5             and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6             and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the             aryl part with halogens, alkyls and/or alkoxyls containing 1             to 3 carbon atoms, and     -   the symbols Z′ are alike or different and represent:         -   a hydroxyl group, or         -   a group R² with the condition that, per molecule, at least             two symbols Z represent a hydroxyl group —OH.

The entities of B and C type can also include, in their structure, “(Q)” or “(T)” units defined as indicated below:

with it being possible for R³ to represent one of the substituents proposed for R¹ or R².

According to one advantageous variant of the invention, the polyorganosiloxanes B used comprise from 1 to 50 ≡SiH siloxyl unit(s) per molecule.

According to one advantageous variant of the invention, the polyorganosiloxanes C used comprise from 1 to 50 ≡SiOH siloxyl unit(s) per molecule.

Particularly preferred as derivatives B are the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers B possessing a reactive =SiH unit which correspond to general formula (VI):

in which:

x and y each represent an integer or fractional number ranging between 0 and 200,

R′¹ and R″¹ represent, independently of one another:

-   -   a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon         atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one         halogen, preferably fluorine, the alkyl radicals preferably         being methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl,     -   an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between         5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms,     -   an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and         12 carbon atoms, or     -   an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14         carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon         atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part, and

it being possible for R″¹ also to correspond to hydrogen, with the condition according to which the radicals R″¹ correspond to hydrogen when x=0.

Particularly preferred as derivatives C are the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers C possessing a reactive ≡SiOH unit which correspond to the general formula (VII):

in which:

-   -   x′ and y′ each represent an integer or a fractional number         ranging between 0 and 1200,     -   R′² and R″² represent, independently of one another:         -   a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon             atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one             halogen, preferably fluorine, the alkyl radicals preferably             being methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and             3,3,3-trifluoropropyl,         -   an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing             between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms,         -   an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6             and 12 carbon atoms, or         -   an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5             and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6             and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the             aryl part,     -   it being possible for R″² also to correspond to OH, with the         condition according to which the radicals R″² correspond to OH         when x′=0.

The following compounds:

with a, b, c, d and e representing a number ranging from:

-   in the polymer of formula S1:     -   0≦a≦150, preferably 0≦a≦100, preferably 0≦a≦20 and     -   1≦b≦55, preferably 10≦b≦55, preferably 30≦b≦55, -   in the polymer of formula S2:     -   0≦c≦15, -   in the polymer of formula S3:     -   5≦d≦200, preferably 20≦d≦50 and     -   2≦e≦50, preferably 10≦e≦30,         are quite particularly suitable for the invention as silicone         derivatives B.

The compounds of formula S4 below:

with 1≦f≦1200, preferably 50≦f≦400, and even more preferentially 150≦f≦250, are quite particularly suitable for the invention as silicone derivatives C.

Provided that the siloxane entities B and C are oligomers or polymers, they can be described as indicated below.

The polyorganosiloxane B can be linear (e.g. (VI)), branched or cyclic. For economic reasons, its viscosity is preferably less than 100 mPa·s; the identical or different organic radicals are preferably methyl, ethyl and/or phenyl. When the polyorganosiloxane is linear, the hydrogen atoms of the ≡SiH functions are bonded directly to the silicon atoms located at the chain end(s) and/or in the chain.

By way of example of a linear constituent B, mention may be made of polymethylhydrosiloxanes possessing trimethylsiloxyl and/or hydrodimethylsiloxy ends.

Among the cyclic polymers, mention may be made of those corresponding to the following formulae:

[OSi(CH₃)H]₄; [OSi(CH₃)H]₅; [OSi(CH₃)H]₃; [OSi(CH₃)H]₈; [OSi(C₂H₅)H]₃.

The constituent C can exhibit a viscosity which can reach 200 000 mPa·s. For economic reasons, a constituent of which the viscosity is generally about 20 to 10 000 mP·s is chosen.

The identical or different organic groups generally present in the constituents C, α,ω-hydroxylated oils or gums, are methyl, ethyl, phenyl or trifluoropropyl radicals. Preferably, at least 80% by number of said organic groups are methyl groups bonded directly to the silicon atoms. In the context of the present invention, α,ω-bis(hydroxy)polydimethylsiloxanes are more especially preferred.

The polyorganosiloxane C may be a resin. The resins C possessing silanol functions have, per molecule, at least one of the R′SiO_(1/2) unit (M unit) and R′²SiO_(2/2) unit (D unit), in combination with at least one of the R′SiO_(3/2) unit (T unit) and SiO_(4/2) unit (Q unit). The R′ radicals generally present are methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl and n-hexyl. As examples of resins, mention may be made of MQ(OH), MDQ(OH), TD(OH) and MDT(OH) resins.

It is possible to use solvents for the polyorganosiloxanes B or C so as to adjust the viscosity of the composition. By way of examples of such conventional solvents for silicone polymers, mention may be made of solvents of aromatic type, such as xylene and toluene, saturated aliphatic solvents, such as hexane, heptane, white spirit®, tetrahydrofuran and diethyl ether, and chlorinated solvents, such as methylene chloride and perchloroethylene. In the context of the present invention, it will be preferable, however, not to use a solvent.

The ≡SiH/≡SiOH molar ratio is advantageously between 1 and 100, preferably between 10 and 50, and even more preferentially between 15 and 45.

The composition according to the invention can also comprise one or more polyorganosiloxane resins D. These resins are branched polyorganosiloxane oligomers or polymers which are well known and commercially available. They are present in the form of solutions, preferably siloxane solutions. They have, in their structure, at least two different units chosen from those of formula:

R′³SiO_(1/2) (M unit), R′²SiO_(2/2) (D unit), R′SiO_(3/2) (T unit) and SiO_(4/2) (Q unit), with at least one of these units being a T or Q unit.

The R′ radicals are identical or different and are chosen from linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl radicals, C₂-C₄ alkenyl radicals, phenyl or 3,3,3-tri-fluoropropyl.

Mention may, for example, be made of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl and n-hexyl radicals, as alkyl radicals R′, and of vinyl radicals, as alkenyl radicals R.

It should be understood that, in the polyorganosiloxane resins D of the abovementioned type, a part of the R′ radicals are alkenyl radicals.

As examples of branched organopolysiloxane oligomers or polymers D, mention may be made of MQ resins, MDQ resins, TD resins and MDT resins, it being possible for the alkenyl functions to be borne by the M, D and/or T units. As examples of resins -E- which are particularly suitable, mention may be made of the vinylated MDQ or MQ resins having a content by weight of vinyl groups of between 0.2 and 10% by weight, these vinyl groups being borne by the M and/or D units.

This resin D is advantageously present in a concentration of between 5 and 70% by weight, relative to the combined constituents of the composition, preferably between 10 and 60% by weight, and even more preferentially between 20 and 60% by weight.

The composition according to the invention can also contain a filler E, preferably an inorganic filler, chosen from siliceous or nonsiliceous materials. When siliceous materials are involved, they can act as reinforcing or semi-reinforcing filler. The reinforcing siliceous fillers are chosen from colloidal silicas, fumed and precipitated silica powders, or mixtures thereof.

These powders have an average particle size of generally less than 0.1 μm and a BET specific surface area of greater than 50 m²/g, preferably between 100 and 300 m²/g.

The semi-reinforcing siliceous fillers such as diatomaceous earths or ground quartz can also be used.

With regard to nonsiliceous inorganic materials, they can be involved as semi-reinforcing or bulking inorganic filler. Examples of these nonsiliceous fillers that can be used alone or as a mixture are carbon black, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, alumina hydrate, expanded vermiculite, zirconia, a zirconate, unexpanded vermiculite, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, mica, talc, iron oxide, barium sulfate and slaked lime. These fillers have a particle size generally of between 0.001 and 300 μm and a BET surface area of less than 100 m²/g.

In practice but without implied limitation, the filler used is a silica.

The filler can be treated using any appropriate compatibilizing agent and in particular hexamethyldisilazane. For further details in this regard, reference may be made, for example, to patent FR-B-2 764 894.

With regard to the weight, it is preferable to use an amount of filler of between 5 and 30% and preferably between 7 and 20% by weight, relative to the combined constituents of the preparation.

Naturally, the composition can be enriched using all kinds of additives, depending on the intended final applications.

In the adhesion resistance application on flexible supports (paper or polymer film), the composition can comprise an adhesion adjusting system selected from known systems. This may involve those described in French patent FR-B-2 450, 642, U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,247 or European patent application EP-A-0 601 938.

Other functional additives of this composition may be bactericides, photosensitizers, fungicides, corrosion inhibitors, antifreeze agents, wetting agents, antifoams, synthetic latexes, colorants or acidifying agents.

Among conventional additives, mention may also be made of adhesion promoters, such as, for example, those comprising at least one alkoxylated organosilane, at least one epoxidized organosilicon compound and at least one metal chelate and/or one metal alkoxide, for example

vinyltrimethoxysilane or VTMO,

glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane or GLYMO, and

tert-butyl titanate or TBOT.

This composition may be a solution or an emulsion. In the latter case, it can then comprise at least one surfactant and optionally at least one pH-fixing agent, such as HCO₃ ⁻CO₃ ²⁻ and/or H₂PO₄ ⁻/HPO₄ ²⁻.

Another means of defining the invention consists in apprehending it from the angle of the use of at least one catalyst A according to the invention and as defined above for the dehydrogenative condensation between, on the one hand, at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer B having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiH unit and, on the other hand, at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer C having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiOH unit.

According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a process for polymerizing and/or crosslinking a siloxane composition X according to the invention and as defined above, characterized in that a dehydrogenative condensation reaction is carried out between said compounds B and C, and in that said dehydrogenative condensation is initiated by the catalyst A according to the invention and as defined above.

Two embodiments are possible for the addition of the catalyst in accordance with the invention.

Said catalyst can either be added to the mixture of the compounds B and C, for example of the polymers of the S1, S2 or S3 type with a polymer of the S4 type, or preferably be premixed with the compound C, for example the polymer of the S4 type, before being placed in the presence of the compound B, for example the 51 or S2 or S3 polymer.

Regardless of the variant under consideration, the catalyst can be used as it is or in solution in a solvent.

Generally, the mixings are carried out with stirring at ambient temperature.

The solution of catalyst can, for example, be used to prepare a bath with the monomer(s), oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s) to be polymerized and/or crosslinked by dehydrogenative condensation, such that the concentration of the catalyst(s) present is between 0.01 and 5% by weight in said bath, and preferably between 0.05 and 0.5%.

The silicone composition according to the invention, which can be used in particular as a coating base for the production of release coatings with a water-repellent nature, is prepared using means and according to methodologies for mixing that are well known to those skilled in the art, whether compositions with or without solvents, or emulsions are involved.

The invention also relates to a process for the production of at least one release coating on a support, preferably a flexible support, characterized in that it consists essentially in applying, to this support, a siloxane composition X according to the invention and as defined above, and then in allowing the siloxane composition X to crosslink, optionally after thermal activation up to a temperature of 110° C.

In accordance with this process, the compositions can be applied using devices used on industrial machines for coating paper, such as a five-roll coating head, or air knife or equalizer bar systems, on flexible supports or materials, and then cured by moving through tunnel ovens heated at 110° C.

Said compositions can be deposited on any flexible material or substrate, such as paper of various types (supercalendered, coated or glassine), cardboard, cellulose sheets, metal sheets or plastic films (polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.).

The amounts of compositions deposited are about 0.5 to 2 g per m² of surface to be treated, which corresponds to the deposition of layers of about 0.5 to 2 μm.

The supports or materials thus coated can subsequently be brought into contact with any adhesive material, rubber, acrylic or the like, which is sensitive to pressure. The adhesive material is then easily detachable from said support or material.

The flexible supports coated with a release silicone film can be, for example:

-   -   an adhesive tape, the internal face of which is coated with a         layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the external face of         which comprises the release silicone coating;     -   or a paper or polymer film for protecting the adhesive face of a         self-adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive element;     -   or a polymer film of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC),         polypropylene, polyethylene or polyethyleneterephthalate type.

Another subject of the invention relates to a process for the production of at least one article made of crosslinked silicone foam, characterized in that it consists essentially in crosslinking a composition as defined above, and ensuring that at least one part of the hydrogen gas formed is not expelled from the reaction medium.

The compositions according to the invention are of use in the field of release coatings on paints, the encapsulation of electrical and electronic components, or coatings for textiles, and also in the field of the sheathing of optical fibers.

A subject of the invention is also any coatings obtained by crosslinking and/or polymerization of the siloxane composition X according to the invention and as defined above. These coatings may be of varnish, adhesive coating, release coating and/or ink type.

The invention is also directed toward:

-   -   any articles consisting of a solid material of which at least         one surface is coated with the abovementioned thermally         crosslinked and/or polymerized siloxane composition X;     -   and also the crosslinked silicone foam obtained by crosslinking         an abovementioned siloxane composition X.

EXAMPLES I) Preparation of Catalysts (4) and (5) According to the Invention

(4): [Fe (iBu-AA)₃] with iBu-AA=the isobutyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isobutyl acetoacetate,

(5): [Fe (tBu-AA)₃] with tBu-AA=the tert-butyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of tert-butyl acetoacetate

A solution of 112 mmol of sodium methoxide (6 g) in 100 ml of ethanol is concentrated by 20% by distillation, and then 112.5 mmol of the I3-ketoester (tert-butyl acetoacetate or isobutyl acetoacetate) are added and the solution obtained is heated at 80° C. for 1 h, to give a clear yellowy-orange solution. A solution of 37.1 mmol of anhydrous iron chloride (6 g) in 20 ml of ethanol is added at 80° C. over a period of 30 min, and then the mixture is heated at 80° C. for 3 h, cooled, filtered if necessary, and concentrated to dryness, the residue is taken up with 100 ml of diisopropyl ether, and the heterogeneous mixture is filtered through celite. After evaporation to dryness, the products (4) and (5) are obtained.

II) Demonstration of the Reactivity of the Catalysts According to the Invention

The polyorganosiloxane polymers used are the following:

with 0≦a≦20 and 30≦b≦55

A silicone base is prepared from a polydimethylsiloxane gum possessing an ≡SiOH end, in solution at 30% in toluene, and which is rediluted by adding toluene before mixing of the other constituents (50 g in 200 g of toluene). A branched poly(dimethyl)(hydro)(methyl)siloxane oil possessing an ≡SiH unit, of formula S1, is then added to the silicone base (0.8 g corresponding to 12.6 mmol of SiH, i.e. a theoretical volume of hydrogen given off of 280 ml under normal conditions). A polydimethylsiloxane oil containing silyloxyethyldimethylamino units, as a cocatalyst and adhesion agent, is then added (2 g). Finally, the catalyst, tetrabutoxy distannoxane diacetate is added (2 g in the case of the tin-based catalyst). The mixture, with stirring, is connected to a gasometer in order to measure the volume of hydrogen given off during the dehydrogenative condensation reaction. The activity of the comparative catalyst was compared with that of the catalyst (3): [Fe (iPr-AA)₃] with iPr-AA=the isopropyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isopropyl acetoacetate for 1 molar equivalent.

Table I hereinafter indicates the time necessary for 100 ml of hydrogen to be given off for each catalyst and content:

TABLE I Content Catalyst (equivalent) Duration (h) for 100 ml tetrabutoxy 1 eq 4 h + 1 h of incubation without distannoxane diacetate hydrogen given off = 5 h (comparative) Catalyst 3 1 eq 3 h [Fe (iPr-AA)₃] (invention)

The catalyst according to the invention is more reactive than the comparative tin catalyst; the catalysts according to the invention can advantageously replace the tin-based catalysts, and the very expensive platinum-based catalysts in the dehydrogenative condensation reaction. 

1. A siloxane composition X which can be polymerized and/or crosslinked by dehydrogenative condensation, the siloxane composition X comprising: at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer B having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiH unit; at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer C having, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiOH unit; a catalytically effective amount of at least one dehydrogenative condensation catalyst A which is a metal complex or salt of formula (I): [Fe(L¹)_(I1)(L²)_(I2)]  (I) in which: I₁≧1, I₂≧0 and I₁+I₂=3; the symbol L¹ represents a13-dicarbonyl ligand selected from the group consisting of a β-dicarbonylato anion or the enolate anion of a β-dicarbonyl compound, and an acetylacetato anion derived from a β-ketoester, with the additional condition that, when I₂≧2, the symbols L¹ are identical or different; with the additional condition that, when I₁=3, then the symbol L¹ is not acetylacetonate (acac), and the symbol L² represents an anionic ligand which is different than L¹ and, when I₂=2, the symbols L² are identical or different; optionally at least one polyorganosiloxane resin D; and optionally at least one filler E.
 2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, in which the dehydrogenative condensation catalyst A is selected from the group consisting of the molecules (1) to (7) below: (1): [Fe (t-Bu-acac)₃] with (t-Bu-acac)=the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato anion or the enolate anion of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-hetpanedione, (2): [Fe (EAA)₃] with EAA=the ethyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate, (3): [Fe (iPr-AA)₃] with iPr-AA=the isopropyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isopropyl acetoacetate, (4): [Fe (iBu-AA)₃] with iBu-AA=the isobutyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of isobutyl acetoacetate, (5): [Fe (tBu-AA)₃] with tBu-AA=the tert-butyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of tert-butyl acetoacetate, (6): [Fe (EAA)₂ (2-ethylhexanoato)] with EAA=the ethyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate, and (7): [Fe (EAA) (2-ethylhexanoato)₂] with EAA=the ethyl acetoacetato anion or the enolate anion of ethyl acetoacetate.
 3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises an amount of catalyst A ranging between 1×10⁻⁶ and 5 parts by weight of the dry matter of organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer to be reacted.
 4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers B possessing reactive ≡SiH units have at least one unit of formula (II) and end with units of formula (III) or are cyclic entities consisting of units of formula (II), these formulae being represented below:

in which: the symbols R¹ are identical or different and represent: a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one halogen, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part with halogens, alkyls and/or alkoxyls containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the symbols Z are alike or different and represent: a hydrogen radical, or a group R¹ with the condition that there are, per molecule, at least two symbols Z representing a hydrogen atom.
 5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers C possessing reactive ≡SiOH units have at least one unit of formula (IV) and end with units of formula (V) or are cyclic entities consisting of units of formula (IV), these formulae being represented below:

in which: the symbols R² are identical or different and represent: a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one halogen, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms, p3 an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part with halogens, alkyls and/or alkoxyls containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and the symbols Z′ are alike or different and represent: a hydroxyl group, or a group R² with the condition that, per molecule, at least two symbols Z represent a hydroxyl group —OH.
 6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers B possessing a reactive=SiH unit correspond to general formula (VI):

in which: x and y each represent an integer or fractional number ranging between 0 and 200, R′¹ and R″¹ represent, independently of one another: a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one halogen, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part, and it being possible for R″¹ also to correspond to hydrogen, with the condition according to which the radicals R″¹ correspond to hydrogen when x=0.
 7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers C possessing a reactive ≡SiOH unit correspond to general formula (VII):

in which: x′ and y′ each represent an integer or a fractional number ranging between 0 and 1200, R′² and R″² represent, independently of one another: a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted with at least one halogen, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl radical containing between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms, an optionally substituted aryl radical containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl part having an alkyl part containing between 5 and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl part containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted on the aryl part, it being possible for R″² also to correspond to OH, with the condition according to which the radicals R″² correspond to OH when x′=0.
 8. A method of dehydrogenative condensation, the method comprising conducting the dehydrogenative condensation using at least one catalyst A as defined according to claim 1, wherein the dehydrogenative condensation is between, on the one hand, at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer B possessing, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiH unit and, on the other hand, at least one organosiloxane monomer, oligomer and/or polymer C possessing, per molecule, at least one reactive ≡SiOH unit.
 9. A process for polymerizing and/or crosslinking a siloxane composition X as defined according to claim 1, wherein a dehydrogenative condensation reaction is carried out between said compounds B and C, and in that said dehydrogenative condensation is initiated with the catalyst A as defined according to claim
 1. 10. A process for the production of at least one release coating on a support, wherein the process comprises applying to the support a siloxane composition X as defined according to claim 1, and then allowing the siloxane composition X to crosslink, optionally after thermal activation up to a temperature of 110° C.
 11. A process for the production of at least one article made of crosslinked silicone foam, wherein the process comprises crosslinking a siloxane composition X as defined according to claim 1, ensuring that at least a part of the hydrogen gas formed is not expelled from the reaction medium.
 12. A coating obtained by crosslinking and/or polymerization of the siloxane composition X as defined according to claim
 1. 13. An article comprised of a solid material of which at least one surface is coated with the siloxane composition X as defined according to claim 1 which has been thermally crosslinked and/or polymerized.
 14. A crosslinked silicone foam obtained by crosslinking a siloxane composition X as defined according to claim
 1. 15. The composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical substituted with at least one halogen, the at least one halogen is fluorine.
 16. The composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical, the alkyl radical is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-triflouropropyl.
 17. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical substituted with at least one halogen, the at least one halogen is fluorine.
 18. The composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical, the alkyl radical is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-triflouropropyl.
 19. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical substituted with at least one halogen, the at least one halogen is fluorine.
 20. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical, the alkyl radical is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-triflouropropyl.
 21. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical substituted with at least one halogen, the at least one halogen is fluorine.
 22. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein when R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical, the alkyl radical is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-triflouropropyl.
 23. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support is a flexible support. 